Hammock

ABSTRACT

A fabric hammock is provided with a unique “pocket” which extends downwardly proximate one end of the hammock. The pocket is formed by downward extending side portions and an end portion and serves as an area to receive the user&#39;s feet when resting in the hammock. To aid in the formation and effectiveness of the pocket, the fabric hammock portion may be more narrow proximate the pocket than the remained of the hammock. The pocket accommodates the user&#39;s feet and legs and thus the user&#39;s feet and legs will be lower than the user&#39;s head and upper body portion providing for a much more comfortable position for the user to sleep, rest or socialize. The pocket also serves to prevent the hammock from folding inward up around the user thus, the hammock remains generally flat providing a more comfortable resting place for the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/199,481, titled “OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT 2015”, which was filed on Jul. 31, 2015 and is incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to outdoor equipment and more particularly, in a first embodiment relates to a hybrid bridge/lounge hammock that combines a spreader bar design with a bridge hammock pattern to offer a more comfortable and usable hammock experience.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Hammocks are widely used both in backyards as well as in camping and outdoor recreational settings. The prior art hammocks are generally formed from a flat sheet of material that is attached at both ends to a stand, tree or some stationary structure. Even utilizing a spreader rod at each end of the hammock material, the prior art hammock sides tend to fold inward and “envelop” or swallow the user in the center; all of which does not make for a comfortable resting place. Furthermore, conventional hammocks, with or without spreader bars, typically have a curvature in their primary longitudinal axis which prevents the user from laying flat and many users find this curvature uncomfortable for sleeping, lounging or social interaction. The posture of a typical lounge chair, on the other hand, with legs level and head and chest slightly raised, is widely considered the most comfortable and ideal for socializing and is well provides a comfortable seating position typical of a lounge chair. Accordingly, what is needed is a hammock that has a design to eliminate or at least minimize the curling of the sides as occurs in the prior art hammocks and which allows the user to be in a position with legs level and head and chest slightly raised above the lakes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention features a fabric hammock portion having a length and a width, a first end and a second end and a first side edge and a second side edge. A first flexible fabric perimeter portion is coupled to the first side edge of the fabric hammock portion while a second flexible fabric perimeter portion is coupled to the second side edge of the fabric hammock portion.

The first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extend beyond the first and second ends of the fabric hammock portion and join together to form first and second hammock support members. The first hammock support member extends from the first end of the flexible hammock portion and the second hammock support member extends from the second end of the flexible hammock portion.

First and second removable rigid spreader bars are provided. The first removable rigid spreader bar is removably coupled between the first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extending from and proximate the first end of the fabric hammock portion, while the second removable rigid spreader bar is removably coupled to the first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extending from and proximate the second end of the fabric hammock portion.

A hammock foot pocket is formed in the fabric hammock portion proximate the second end of the fabric hammock portion. The hammock foot pocket comprises a first hammock foot pocket portion having a length and a width, and coupled to the first side of the fabric hammock portion. The first hammock foot pocket portion includes a first end disposed between the first and second ends of the fabric hammock portion. The first hammock foot pocket portion includes a second end disposed proximate the second end of the fabric hammock portion. The second end of the first hammock foot pocket portion has a width which is greater than a width of the first end of the first hammock foot pocket portion.

A second hammock foot pocket portion having a length and a width is coupled to the second side of the fabric hammock portion. The second hammock foot pocket portion includes a first end disposed between the first and second ends of the fabric hammock portion. The second hammock foot pocket portion includes a second end disposed proximate the second end of the fabric hammock portion. The second end of the first hammock foot pocket portion has a width which is greater than a width of the first end of the second hammock foot pocket portion.

A third hammock foot pocket portion is disposed proximate the second end of the fabric hammock portion and coupled between the second end of the first hammock foot pocket portion, the second end of the second hammock foot pocket portion and the second end of said fabric hammock portion.

In one embodiment, the third hammock foot pocket portion has a width which is equal to said width of said second end of both said first and second hammock foot pocket portions while in another embodiment, the width of the second end of fabric hammock portion is less than the width of the first end of the fabric hammock portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A-1C are perspective and side views of the improved hammock according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features a hammock 100, FIGS. 1A-1C, comprising a fabric hammock portion 110 attached to a flexible fabric like perimeter 112 which is spread apart at the first and second ends by removable spreader poles or bars 114 a and 114 b. The removable spreader bars 114 a and 114 b are designed to be inserted into fabric “pockets” 124 in the flexible, fabric like perimeter 112, although this is not a limitation of the present invention.

The fabric hammock 100 according to the present invention is provided with a unique “pocket” 116 which extends downwardly proximate one end of the hammock 110 beginning approximately at a central point 118 of the length of the hammock 100. The pocket 116 is formed by side portions 120 and end portion 122 and serves as an area to receive the user's feet when resting in the hammock. To aid in the formation and effectiveness of the pocket 116, the fabric hammock portion 110 is more narrow proximate the pocket and as shown by arrow 130 versus the wider portion of the fabric hammock portion 110 as shown at arrow 132.

Side portions 120 are approximately 40 inches long and extend downwardly approximately 20 inches as shown by arrow 126. The user's feet and legs will be lower than the user's head and upper body portion providing for a much more comfortable position for the user to sleep, rest or socialize; much like being in a lounge chair. The pocket 116 also serves to prevent the hammock from folding inward up around the user thus, the hammock remains generally flat providing a more comfortable resting place for the user. Side pockets 128 serving as beverage holders may also be provided.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a unique hammock design that prevents the hammock from folding inwardly about its longitudinal axis and also includes a foot pocket for lowering the at rest level of a user's feet and legs providing a more comfortable resting position and elevating the user's upper body to facilitate socializing while resting in the hammock.

Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hammock, comprising: a fabric hammock portion having a length and a width, a first end and a second end and a first side edge and a second side edge; a first flexible fabric perimeter portion, coupled to said first side edge of said fabric hammock portion; a second flexible fabric perimeter portion, coupled to said second side edge of said fabric hammock portion; wherein said first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extend beyond said first and second ends of said fabric hammock portion and join together to form first and second hammock support members, said first hammock support member extending from said first end of said flexible hammock portion and said second hammock support member extending from said second end of said flexible hammock portion; first and second removable rigid spreader bars, said first removable rigid spreader bar removably coupled between said first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extending from and proximate said first end of said fabric hammock portion, said second removable rigid spreader bar removably coupled to said first and second flexible fabric perimeter portions extending from and proximate said second end of said fabric hammock portion; and a hammock foot pocket, formed in said fabric hammock portion proximate said second end of said fabric hammock portion, said hammock foot pocket comprising: a first hammock foot pocket portion having a length and a width, and coupled to said first side of said fabric hammock portion, said first hammock foot pocket portion including a first end disposed between said first and second ends of said fabric hammock portion, said first hammock foot pocket portion including a second end disposed proximate said second end of said fabric hammock portion, said second end of said first hammock foot pocket portion having a width which is greater than a width of said first end of said first hammock foot pocket portion; a second hammock foot pocket portion having a length and a width and coupled to said second side of said fabric hammock portion, said second hammock foot pocket portion including a first end disposed between said first and second ends of said fabric hammock portion, said second hammock foot pocket portion including a second end disposed proximate said second end of said fabric hammock portion, said second end of said first hammock foot pocket portion having a width which is greater than a width of said first end of said second hammock foot pocket portion; and a third hammock foot pocket portion disposed proximate said second end of said fabric hammock portion and coupled between said second end of said first hammock foot pocket portion, said second end of said second hammock foot pocket portion and said second end of said fabric hammock portion.
 2. The hammock of claim 1, wherein said third hammock foot pocket portion has a width which is equal to said width of said second end of both said first and second hammock foot pocket portions.
 3. The hammock of claim 1, wherein said fabric hammock portion has a width proximate said first and which is greater than a width proximate said second end. 